CLOSE THEM DOWN
The news story '"Underbelly of care" in poor areas' (30 July) highlighted to me yet again the inefficiency of the present Ofsted system. I question this as the manager and owner of an outstanding setting who would probably earn a higher wage if I worked for one of the types of day nursery described. This is because, as many nursery owners do, I work a very long week and weekends for the satisfaction, not the financial return.
Everyone reading this would probably be able to name nurseries that would fit the criteria described. They simply make money from poor practice and no one does anything to stop them.
Does bureaucracy or workload stop Ofsted from revisiting inadequate settings and enforcing actions? I question why Ofsted is not closing these settings for the protection of the children who are receiving such poor care, why are they left for as much as 12 months and are then still judged as being inadequate? Why are these settings not given 60 days to improve their practice before legal proceedings being instigated to close them?
The cuts in local government funding mean that early years teams are understaffed and so unable to do much to improve practice - that is, if the settings would act on it. Unless early years teams have powers to enforce good practice and communicate their findings to Ofsted, then practice won't change.
I am incensed, as I have just spent probably my 80th hour contesting my ninth false Ofsted complaint. When this happens I lose sleep and see it as a slur on the practice I strive to provide. Do these inadequate settings feel the same? Somehow I doubt it.
Name and address supplied
SERVICES TO INVEST IN
Helen Penn's point, that the poorest children experience the worst care, needs to be heard (To the Point, 30 July). It is unpalatable but must not be lost in a rush of self-justification.
Children from poorer backgrounds are damaged by poor childcare, while other children can survive it because of their supportive home backgrounds which give them the cultural capital to cope in a complex society. Poorer children do not have this luxury.
In a market-led sector, we at WCS know all too well how hard it is to develop the best services using a socially acceptable business model. It is, however, possible.
To succeed, we need ambition for the children and their families, as well as drive, fortitude and sound financial principles. We also need to celebrate our successes more often.
What would help would be a much clearer understanding of the importance of targeted services, a complete review of why we need universalisation in a cash-strapped economy, equity regarding the NEF, investment funds, better commissioning - along with an ability to cost the added value of good services to poorer children.
We need true recognition that investment in poorer children from the earliest stage will bring the greatest returns for all children, their families, the community and society. It is both morally and financially the only way to go.
June O'Sullivan, chief executive, Westminster Children's Society
VAGUENESS AND SPIN
The Minister's View (6 August) was a masterpiece of political vagueness. Just to take the beginning: 'lots of research reports' and 'good quality early learning and childcare gives children the best possible start in life and can have a big impact on their development'.
No doubt the minister is aware of the Government attempt to conceal professional lack of support, as revealed by The Guardian in July 2008. Research had been commissioned by the DCSF from the Institute of Education, London, to justify the teaching of reading and writing to the under-fives. But it did not support the EYFS, instead showing that early teaching has no effect of improving later literacy skills. It was therefore suppressed, and had to be unearthed by a Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats. When Government is vague, expect spin.
Grethe Hooper Hansen, retired teacher, Bath
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